Feather Duster Worm

Sabella sp.

Feather Duster Worms are marine worms (polychaete annelids) that live in tubes made of mud and sand, cemented together with secretions from the worm, with the tubes lined on the inside with a silk-like substance. The delicate feather duster (frons) at the top of the tube flutters and pulsates in the current trapping food particles, and at the slightest movement this frons retracts into the safety of the tube.

These worms occur throughout the world’s oceans.

Queensland Museum's Find out about... is proudly supported by the Thyne Reid Foundation and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.